Note 1: Star Wars and its affiliates do not belong to me, only the contents of this Verse.
Note 2: Thank you to my betas 9FingersAnnoyedWife and Young at Heart21.
Chosen: Restoration
Chapter 24: Detainment
By WrittinInStone
To say the Jedi Council had not taken the news well would be the understatement of the millennia.
Obi-Wan released a deep, chest-caving sigh as he buried his face into his hands.
He would not soon forget the look on the Jedi Masters' faces as Anakin explained his revelation from the Force. But nothing was worse than the look on Master Yoda's face, the absolute horror, the abject fear as the sudden realization of what it all meant dawned on the petite sentient.
Obi-Wan had never seen such negative emotions on the Grand Master's face before and, to put it plainly, it scared him. It was only upon looking at him that the situation became real.
Now, the Jedi Council was in an uproar, a barrage of questions bouncing off the chamber walls; how were they to prevent this disaster? Should they pull the Jedi back? What were the Chancellor's intentions? How could they prove who the Chancellor was, what he might be doing, to the Galactic Senate?
Never had the Jedi Council lost control like this, but never before had the Jedi faced potential annihilation.
Their hands were tied, literally, because they could not simply pull the Jedi from the front lines. They also could not simply demand that the clones be withdrawn from the war; they were too firmly entrenched as the clones were the majority of the forces used. Not only that, they could not justify such a request with no proof that the Chancellor controlled them. Then, there was danger in alerting Palpatine that he had been discovered. Would he move forward with his plans if he knew that the Jedi was aware of what he was?
The problems they faced were mind-boggling and it made Obi-Wan sick. How were they going to save the Jedi Order? How?
In the end, it had taken Anakin to calm the Council down and to look at the situation as objectively as possible.
As he watched his old Padawn, Obi-Wan could not quell the pride that rose in his chest like a wave. Though pale and still, Anakin's voice was strong and firm as it rang out, cutting through the chaos.
"Masters," he interrupted evenly. "I think the first order of business should be to immediately relocate all the Younglings to a remote, undisclosed site for the duration of this emergency. They are the future of this order, they must survive."
The Council fell silent, stunned at the suddenness and logic of the proclamation. Master Windu cleared his throat and spoke, "Anakin is correct. The Younglings should be secured. We have outposts for an event that would need a move such as this, but if everything that you have said is true, then Palpatine must have been planning this for a long time and we cannot assume that these locations are safe. We must find another place for them to go."
"Decide that soon, we will, but for now, a plan we must create. Protect the Order at all costs, we must," Master Yoda spoke, a new fire in his brown eyes.
"We should inform the Jedi in the field of the danger," Obi-Wan said closing his eyes, seeking guidance from the Force as he rubbed his clean-shaven jaw. "It should not be too difficult as we have codes and protocols in place to alert the Jedi that highly classified information needs to be imparted. They'll find a secure location in which to receive it."
"You don't think that will cause panic?" Master Plo Koon argued. "We are literally telling them that they're surrounded by the enemy while in the midst of an incredibly hostile war zone."
"But they need to know," Master Fitso countered, rubbing his forehead wearily. "If they are aware, they can begin to make provisions to combat it. They can leave with smaller groups of the clones to better defeat them if they began to attack, they can assign more Jedi and a smaller amount of clones to each group; they can take measures to protect themselves."
"At once we must do this," Master Yoda had closed his eyes as well, seeking peace, serenity and direction from the Force. "Then begin a plan to withdraw them, we must. If fall the Jedi does, follow the Republic surely will."
They all fell silent for a moment, Anakin and Obi-Wan on the ship, and the Jedi Council on Coruscant.
"Did you find what you sought on Taris?" Master Windu asked suddenly, breaking the silence.
"Yes, Master," Anakin answered, nodding. "We did."
"Come back to Coruscant immediately then," Master Windu continued. "We need you and Obi-Wan here."
"Yes, Master Windu," Anakin and Obi-Wan intoned.
"If we push the ship hard and refrain from stopping for fuel, we should be able to get there in three days," Anakin informed them.
"Very well," Master Yoda responded, eyes troubled. "Await your arrival, we do."
They nodded in agreement.
By the time they cut transmission, the Council was in the process of summoning the more senior members of the Jedi Order to the council chambers and Anakin was swaying dangerously.
Grabbing hold of the younger man's shoulders to support him, the Jedi Master began to maneuver them out of the room and to Anakin's suite.
"You need to rest, Anakin," Obi-Wan said gently, unhappy with how pale his friend looked.
"No," the blonde answered stubbornly. "We need to activate the crystal."
"You are going to bed," Obi-Wan repeated sternly, his voice brooking no argument. "You look like you're about to fall over."
"I should take more of the vaccine," the Knight said, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth against the sudden pain that assaulted him.
Obi-Wan hesitated and then shook his head, "No, Anakin, I don't think you should."
"Why?" The word was sharp, exhausted.
"Because I think that it was made by Palpatine."
The look on Anakin's face at those words almost made Obi-Wan wish he had said nothing.
"What?" the Knight whispered. "No, the doctors…"
"—Just happened to create a temporary cure when we are days from traveling to a hostile planet?" The Jedi Master answered harshly, lowering his voice as they passed a clone. "If we know one thing Anakin, it's that Palpatine is interested in you. He doesn't want you to die, it's why he helped us to find Davik Kang—"
"Then surely it's okay to keep taking it."
Obi-Wan frowned. "Anakin—"
"If Palpatine wants me alive then he would not have created it to hurt me. Please, Obi-Wan. I need it. I can't feel like this." It was the pleading in Anakin's eyes that made the Jedi Master cave.
"Very well, Anakin, but I don't trust it," Obi-Wan asserted as the reached the younger man's room. "I don't trust anything that Palpatine does."
"I don't either, Master, but we don't have much of a choice right now. The vaccine is all we have."
Obi-Wan sighed as he helped Anakin into the room and then gently pushed him onto the bed. "Fine. I'll go fetch Padmé. You rest."
"Thank you, Master," he answered quietly, closing his eyes as his exhaustion overtook him.
Obi-Wan nodded, taking a moment to gaze at Anakin carefully before turning and leaving.
#*#*#*#*#
Finally, it was time.
Padmé eyes were huge as they stood at the door of Célosige.
She could understand why the real ship had been hidden for so long. They had walked pass the entrance to it several times and would have continued to do so if Obi-Wan had not shown them what it truly was.
It had taken careful planning to get there without the clones noticing. It wasn't until one tried to avoid them that it became clear how very present they were. They could only hope that whatever the crystal did to the ship did not neutralize their efforts to be surreptitious.
Now, Padmé and Anakin watched silently as Obi-Wan stepped forward and put his hand on the door. It opened immediately as though anticipating them.
Taking a deep breath, Padmé followed her husband inside, tightly clutching the satchel she wore that held the crystal.
As soon as she stepped inside, she could do nothing but stare. It was… beautiful, there was truly no other word for it.
It was white everywhere, with green vein-like lines running through the walls. The very atmosphere seemed animated; it was truly the most incredible ship she'd been in; Célosige was truly alive.
Before she knew it, they had reached the command center of the ship.
"Anakin, I think you should be the one to place the crystal in the center," Obi-Wan said quietly as they all gazed upon the magnificent pedestal.
The Knight stared at Obi-Wan for a moment before nodding. He gently took the crystal from his wife and slowly approached the dais.
He paused as he stood in front of it and then spoke. "We are now returning your crystal to you. We ask only that you would take us to your makers. We have helped you, now we hope that you will help us."
Taking a deep breath, he lightly placed the crystal in the empty space. He pulled his hands away quickly as the podium came alive and sucked it right out of his hands, locking the dark crystal into place. As soon as it settled, the crystals around the base began to change. Where before they were clear, it began to turn black as though being filled with the essence of darkness.
Anakin stepped back and grabbed his wife's hand, moving them both close to Obi-Wan as they watched the transformation.
Whatever was filling the crystals was also spreading to the rest of the ship; the seeping darkness seemed to run through the green veins, changing everything as it continued to spread out from the base.
"I think we should get out of here," Padmé hissed at them, backing up as the darkness spread through the carpet and closer to them.
"Yes," Obi-Wan agreed, eyes wide. "We should leave. Now. We have no idea what it's doing."
"What was the point of getting the crystal if we just leave when it starts acting strange?" Anakin retorted. "We should stay."
"We can't risk it Ani," Padmé pleaded. "I can't risk it."
The Knight blinked slowly before nodding. "Of course not, Padmé, we must think of the children. I'm sorry. I just…"
"We will return, Anakin," Obi-Wan reassured him, grabbing the younger man's shoulder to steer him out of the command center. "It must be rebooting after so long, but we don't want to risk any accidents so we will stay in the additional part until we can be sure whatever is happening here is complete."
#*#*#*#*#
Anakin took a deep breath as he gazed out of the window, watching the vastness of space as they flew at by at lightspeed. Returning the crystal had been disappointing. He had simply expected more than to be ran out by a strange encroaching darkness that seemed to be taking over the ship.
Not only that, he couldn't help but be skeptical; was this ship really sentient and could it really get them to the Yangua? He hoped, by the Force, that it could.
"Ani."
Turning at his name, he smiled as his wife approached him, his eyes glowing as he gazed upon her. She was so beautiful to him that it was amazing.
"What?" she asked, noticing his perusal as she returned his smile.
He shook his head. "Nothing, you're just beautiful."
She threw him an exasperated glance. "Even when I look like this? I'm huge, Anakin. I don't walk anymore, I waddle."
"I think you look amazing," he stubbornly insisted, pulling her close and burying his face into her long locks.
"Love really has blinded you," she teased, but glowing in the face of his admiration.
"No," he countered seriously, lifting his face from his hair to look into her chocolate orbs. "It has opened my eyes. Love destroys vanity and pride. It makes something like weight gain of no consequence because it recognizes what is important; that which is within, not without."
Padmé shook her head, incredulous as she gazed upon him. "Since when did you become so wise, my love?"
Anakin shrugged. "That's what happens when your wife is the closest thing to perfect that is possible in this Galaxy."
Hitting his chest in pleased exasperation, she pulled away from him, trying to hide the rising color in her cheeks.
"Ani, if every person in this galaxy found someone to love them like you love me, there would never be war," she said, unable to stop smiling.
Shaking her head, she grabbed his hand and began heading toward medical bay. "We have another appointment with the doctor today. We only have two months before the babies are here. I'm so nervous and excited, I don't know what to do!"
At the look of surprise on Anakin's face, Padmé rolled her eyes. "Anakin! Please don't tell me you forgot about our children! You must know I'm not getting huge for nothing!"
"Yes, I know that," he replied sheepishly, scratching his head. "It's just with everything going on, I haven't much thought about it. Honestly, it seems as though you've been pregnant forever."
"You have no idea, Skywalker!" Padmé exclaimed, glaring at him. "If you feel that way, how do you think I feel?"
Anakin grinned at her... but that was until a horrifying, terrifying thought struck him. It cooled the joy in his chest, making it feel as though something heavy had settled there, making it hard to breathe.
Sensing the sudden change in his mood, she reached over to rub his back, noticing the goose bumps there. "Ani? What's wrong? You stiffened all of a sudden."
He forced a smile. "It's nothing." That had to be, by far, the worse and most obvious lie he'd ever told her.
"Anakin," Padmé voice hardened. "I thought we agreed that we wouldn't do that anymore, that we would talk to one another."
He was silent for a long moment before speaking to her quietly. "Ever since this whole episode started, we've seen how manipulative and well informed Palpatine is right?"
"Right," Padmé confirmed, confused as to where he was going.
"What if he knows that the children you're carrying are mine? Now that I think about it, I'm positive that he knows. I've practically told him." Anakin confessed, lips thinning in displeasure at his lack of discernment. A blind man could see how corrupt the Chancellor was; why hadn't he? "Besides, if he didn't know before, he certainly knows now; we haven't exactly been discrete with our relationship since being up here. We didn't start avoiding the clones until about a week ago."
Her hands immediately flew to her belly. "Are you trying to tell me that an evil Sith Lord might have designs on our children?" she asked, her voice trembling, her eyes wide with fear.
"Padmé." Anakin stopped in the middle of the hall and grabbed her by the shoulders so that she was facing him. He wanted her to understand how important this was, how serious he was. "I don't care who knows; the Jedi Council, Palpatine, hell, I don't care if the whole Galaxy knows. No one, and I mean no one is going to take our children away from us. I'll kill them all before I allow that to happen. Do you understand?"
It was strange, but the flatness of her husband's tone, the hardening of his indigo eyes, the utter violence she suddenly felt emanating off him in waves, comforted her as nothing else could have.
She nodded at him, feeling her fear drain out of her like bathwater in a 'fresher. Suddenly Padmé felt very weary; the up and down emotional rollercoaster that seemed to be her current state was utterly exhausting.
Stroking her cheek, Anakin pulled her close to quell her trembling.
"Come, my love. Let's go and check on the health of our children," he said soothingly as she buried her head into his chest.
She nodded, clinging to him for a moment before taking his hand once more and continuing to the medical bay.
#*#*#*#*#
They arrived at Coruscant in three days.
Although they had pushed the ship hard and traveled at maximum speed the whole way, it still amazed Anakin that it took so much time to go but so little to return.
They had collectively decided that they would revisit Célosige after meeting with the Jedi Council. The three days that it took to reach Coruscant plus the additional time spent on the planet should be enough time for the ship to finish whatever it was doing.
Padmé had elected to stay behind to watch the clones and the ship. It relieved Anakin; he hadn't relished the thought of trying to convince her to stay. She was still considered missing and they could not risk her being seen. If all went well, they would be able to come up with a temporary solution that would, at the very least, ensure that the whole Jedi Order wasn't wiped out with a single command before coming back and seeing the results of returning the crystal.
Now, Anakin and Obi-Wan stood in the ship's hangar, preparing to enter the planet. Padmé leaned slightly against the wall, trying to relieve the pain in her back.
Anakin looked at her in concern but she waved him on.
"You two go ahead, I'm fine. It's nothing I haven't had to deal with already," she said with a wry grin.
Obi-Wan offered her an apologetic smile before making his way to the shuttle, giving them some time for a private goodbye.
Anakin didn't say anything, simply pulled her into his arms, holding her close for a moment. "I will return," he said softly, gently into her hair.
"You'd better," she murmured, clinging to him.
He indulged in the need to feel his body against hers for a moment longer before tenderly kissing her forehead and following after Obi-Wan.
Padmé went to the window as the craft cut on and flew slowly out of the hangar. She watched as it moved toward the planet below and continued to stand there long after it had faded from sight.
#*#*#*#*#
"Anakin," Obi-Wan said, frowning as they neared their dock. "Something's wrong here."
"I know," the Knight responded, pulling on the Force to quell the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he gazed with furrowed brows upon the contingent of people below.
"They're waiting for us," the Jedi Master stated with rising dread. "But how did they know we were coming? We sent no word."
"Palpatine," Anakin answered coolly, clenching his teeth at the flood of fury saying that name elicited. He was getting sick of that bastard; one day soon he would show the Chancellor that Anakin Skywalker was not one to be manipulated or trifled with. He would regret ever even hearing his name.
"Prepare yourself," Obi-Wan cautioned as the shuttle landed with barely a thud. "Don't do anything rash."
Anakin nodded as the doors opened and they exited.
Obi-Wan felt his frown deepen at the sight of what greeted them. There was a whole unit of clones with blasters at the ready, pointing at them. There was also a plethora of media hounds, all of them snapping photos and shooting video as the two Jedi approached. But what disturbed them most of all was the person in charge; Master Windu and five other Jedi stood in front of the clones, faces as though carved from stone.
"Master Windu, what is the meaning of this?" Obi-Wan demanded, his eyes slowly running over the entourage of clones and reporters.
The darker man's face was carefully expressionless as he said monotonously, "Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, you are both under the arrest for the kidnapping of Senator Padmé Amidala."
"What?" Anakin exclaimed incredulously, eyes growing wide. "You can't be serious!"
"Seize them," Master Windu continued, ignoring Anakin's outburst.
"Don't struggle, Anakin," Obi-Wan said, wincing as the bright light of a holocamera went off in his face. "We'll get to the bottom of this. Just go with them."
Anakin clenched his teeth painfully as he allowed the storm troopers to cuff him, struggling against an onslaught of humiliation as the media soaked up the spectacle of the two most famous Jedi in the Galaxy being arrested.
Peace, the Knight thought, taking deep breathes as he was roughly pulled toward a squad transport. Peace.
One thing had become clear; Palpatine had just made his move and now it seemed that he had finally gotten serious. Having the two of them imprisoned was a definitive strike, and now it was time to counter it, to finally let the Chancellor realize who he was dealing with.
The games, it seemed, had begun.
End of Chapter 24: Review people!
Chapter 25: Jumping Ship: Escaping from Courscant
A/N1: Next chapter is the last one in part one of the "Chosen" series. I'm not sure if it's going to be two parts or three, so stay tuned. Also, I'm really trying to hit 500 reviews for this fic, think we can do it? I do! So, review. Also, the next and final chapter has already been written in its entirety and is currently being reviewed by my betas. If reviews are good, who knows... you might see it as soon as next week. =]
A/N2: Points to whoever noticed my blatant "Elvis and Anabelle" and "Merlin" line rip-offs.